Food Business News Tom Hayes will formally take over as CEO of Tyson Foods Inc. Dec. 31. On Dec. 7, Hayes spoke at the Sanford C. Bernstein Consumer Summit and outlined his priorities for the company going forward. They include initiatives around next stage growth in protein, a proactive approach to sustainability, innovation and strategic investments that may involve additional acquisitions.READ MORE

Versatile frozen blueberry formats make this a perfect season for new blueberry products thanks to little blue dynamos'® deliciousness with so many ingredients, sweet to savory, spicy to gluten-free. From blueberry mini-muffins to blueberry chocolate mousse, the time has come!

BloombergAs merger activity crescendoed in recent years, U.S. antitrust regulators under President Barack Obama developed a reputation for taking a hard line, especially regarding the biggest transactions. Just this year, they shot down mergers between Staples Inc. and Office Depot Inc. as well as Halliburton Co. and Baker Hughes Inc., and are in the process of trying to block two giant health insurance deals. But once Donald Trump assumes office and his Republican administration takes over, there could be a change in tone — so much so that in some cases, it may be worth it for companies to try again.READ MORE

The Associated Press via Fortune President-elect Donald Trump has lost no chance to bash or threaten individual companies that cross him.
Yet much of corporate America appears to view Trump not as an adversary but as a powerful friend. For all his bullying stance toward some companies, businesses have been cheered by his vows to slash taxes and soften Obama-era rules that were designed to protect workers, the environment and the financial system and by his choices to lead the Labor Department and Environmental Protection Agency.READ MORE

Time Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. may not be bound in the future by the understanding that Taiwan is part of "one China" — casting doubt upon a concept that has been a key part of Sino-U.S. relations for decades, and threatening to send those relations into a tailspin.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman recently said his government was "seriously concerned" about the president-elect's comments, and that cordial development of ties "out of the question" unless that "political bedrock" of Sino-U.S. relations was maintained.READ MORE

The Hill Democrats are grappling with how to draw the right lessons — and avoid the wrong ones — after an extraordinary presidential election.
Hillary Clinton's loss to Donald Trump is an unmitigated disaster for Democrats, who want to ensure nothing like it happens again. READ MORE

Bladen OnlineCorner stores have until Dec. 31 to apply for funding that is meant to provide healthier food options for those living in food deserts across North Carolina.
The Healthy Food Small Retailer Program, which is administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was established in the 2016 state budget bill. The pilot program will reimburse participating stores for refrigeration, freezers and stocking equipment needed for healthier items. "There are 349 food deserts across North Carolina, impacting about 1.5 million North Carolinians," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "Corner stores and convenient stores are integral parts of their local communities, and can play an important role in bring healthy local foods to the neighborhoods they serve."READ MORE

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette With an incoming Republican Presidential administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, some advocates for the poor say they are concerned about cuts to the food stamp program.
"We are in fact, very worried," said Ken Regal, executive director of South Side-based Just Harvest, an anti-hunger advocacy organization.READ MORE

Agri-ViewThe new buzz words for farmers producing pigs and poultry is to rear them "antibiotic-free" — and new progress is being made to accomplish that.
A Danish company that researches and produces alternative proteins for pigs and poultry has created a unique process intended to help reduce the use of antibiotics and increase animal health.READ MORE

USAgNet.comThe Agriculture Department left its domestic supply estimates for corn, soybeans and wheat unchanged recently, holding usage forecasts for all three commodities steady with its November outlook. On the global front, the government raised its ending stocks outlook for corn, soybeans and wheat due to increased production outlooks in countries such as Brazil and Australia.
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USA TodayAmericans used to find yogurt yucky. But the creamy dairy food long ago joined beer and cheese on the list of our favorite things produced by fermentation — an ancient preservation process in which bacteria transform food and drink, creating new flavors and, many consumers believe, enhanced health benefits.READ MORE

Meat and Poultry NewsWhile a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner away from home is unthinkable to many, the convenience of eating out, carrying out and mail-ordering holiday meals is a trend on the rise that shows no signs of relenting. For every family who thrives on the tradition of turkey shopping, turkey thawing and turkey baking, smoking or frying, there are almost as many who substitute or supplement their meals with nontraditional entrees or side dishes.READ MORE

Refrigerated and Frozen FoodsOne in three organizations have experienced cumulative losses of over $1 million during the last year as a result of supply chain disruptions, according to a report published by the Business Continuity Institute and supported by Zurich Insurance Group. The report showed that, despite a decrease in the percentage of organizations that experienced at least one disruption, those organizations suffered more of them, with the percentage of organizations that experienced at least 11 disruptions during the year increasing from 7 percent to 22 percent.
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